Horatio Alger

American  

adjective

1. of or characteristic of the heroes in the novels of Horatio Alger, who begin life in poverty and achieve success and wealth through honesty, hard work, and virtuous behavior.

   the Horatio Alger story of his rise in the business world.

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Alger, Horatio, Jr. Cultural  

1. A nineteenth-century American author known for his many books in which poor boys become rich through their earnest attitudes and hard work.

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A true story of spectacular worldly success achieved by someone who started near the bottom is often called a “Horatio Alger story.”

Etymology

Origin of Horatio Alger

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Starting in 1886, a series of games derived from the Horatio Alger books—with titles like From Log Cabin to the White House—caught the public’s fancy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

Curricula used to include stories like those by Horatio Alger about people pulling themselves up from poverty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

In all, Vance’s story of the Horatio Alger myth made real in Appalachia is actually one where he received much help and assistance along the way.

From Salon • Aug. 21, 2024

Horatio Alger Association membership itself is worth at least $200,000, according to the organization's meeting minutes in 2007, a sum that those who nominate a new member are responsible for raising in that person's honor.

From Salon • Aug. 10, 2023

I didn’t want to be Horatio Alger in someone’s tear-filled homage to the American dream.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover